Route guide
London Gatwick (LGW) → Central London
45 km (28 mi) · 60–90 min by car
All options compared
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Official taxi | Black cab: £80–120+ (metered) |
| Pre-booked transfer | Pre-booked: £55–85 (fixed) Book → |
| Train / bus | Gatwick Express: £19.90, 30 min to Victoria. Thameslink: £12.80, 35 min to St Pancras. |
Transfer service comparison for this route
| Service | Price | Meet & greet | Best for | Book |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome Pickups | £65–90 | ✓ Inside terminal | Families, premium | Check price → |
| Kiwitaxi | £55–75 | ✓ Arrivals hall | Vehicle variety | Check price → |
| GetTransfer | £50–70 | Varies | Budget travelers | Check price → |
| intui.travel | £52–68 | ✓ Most drivers | Shared options | Check price → |
GBP and EUR rates for standard sedan to central London Zone 1. Canary Wharf, Stansted-area destinations, and outer zones priced separately. Updated March 2026.
Cheapest option
Thameslink at £12.80 — fast and affordable
Best option
GetTransfer — bids from £50 significantly undercut black cab prices for this long route
Journey time by time of day
Via M23 motorway north, then M25/A23 into London. Traffic on the M25 is unpredictable. The Gatwick Express is often faster than driving during rush hour.
Fastest: Very early weekend mornings (before 07:00) on the M23 are the fastest — expect 50–65 minutes for the 45 km drive when the M25 interchange is clear.
Slowest: Friday afternoons (15:00–19:30) on the M25 and M23 are consistently the worst window — expect 95–130 minutes. The M23/M25 junction is the chronic bottleneck. Heathrow-and-Gatwick commuter overflow compounds this.
Weekends: Saturday mornings are generally fine. Sunday evenings returning from weekend trips can add 20–30 minutes on the M23 inbound.
For detailed meet-and-greet instructions applicable to all transfer services, see our step-by-step guide to booking airport transfers.
All transport alternatives compared
| Option | Details |
|---|---|
| Official taxi | £80–120 (metered) |
| Train / Express | Gatwick Express to Victoria: £20, 30 min. Thameslink to London Bridge/St Pancras: £12, 35–45 min |
| Budget option | National Express coach: £8–12, 90–120 min |
| Uber / ride-hail | £50–80 (limited availability, surge common) |
Which service wins for this route
LGW → central London is longer and trickier than LHR — the 45 km drive is exposed to M25 chaos and the Gatwick Express train at £21.50 is very strong competition. GetTransfer bidding wins at £45–65 for 4-person groups where splitting £60 beats four train tickets. Welcome Pickups (£65–95) is worth the premium for families with luggage and young children — the door-to-door convenience compared to Gatwick Express + Underground + walking is significant with kids. Kiwitaxi at £55–85 is the practical middle-ground for business travelers. intui.travel doesn't lead on any metric here; the Gatwick Express is a much better budget answer than any shared shuttle.
Real traveler tips
The M25 between the M23 junction and the M4/M40 is among the worst traffic anywhere in Europe on Friday afternoons. Expect 95–130 minutes on the road if you're landing between 15:00 and 19:30 on a Friday.
Gatwick has two separated terminals (North and South) connected by a 2-minute monorail. The pickup point differs by terminal — confirm yours when booking to avoid a 10-minute transit.
For City of London, Canary Wharf, or East London, the Gatwick Express + DLR combination is often faster than road transfer regardless of price. For West London (Kensington, Chelsea, Notting Hill), road is usually faster.
UK border control for non-UK arrivals can run 30–60 minutes at peak evening times (18:00–21:00). Welcome Pickups and Kiwitaxi allow 60 minutes of free waiting — usually enough, but mention your flight origin when booking.
Luggage and special requirements
Standard sedan: Gatwick is 45 km from London — longer rides mean more time with luggage. Book a comfortable vehicle, not the cheapest option.
Child seats: UK law requires approved child seats for children under 12 or 135 cm. Welcome Pickups provides them free on every Gatwick booking — a real advantage over London black cabs, which aren't required to carry seats. Kiwitaxi offers as a paid add-on.
Oversized items: Gatwick handles significant holiday charter traffic — expect surfboards to Cornwall, ski bags to the Alps, and golf clubs to Spain/Portugal. Always mention oversized items when booking; standard Gatwick sedans can't always accommodate them without pre-arrangement.
Tips for this route
Gatwick is far from London (45 km). The Gatwick Express (30 min to Victoria, £19.90) is the fastest train option. Thameslink (35 min, £12.80) goes to more stations. For groups of 2+, a pre-booked transfer is often cheaper than individual train tickets. Night transfers (before 5am) are significantly more expensive — the train doesn't run all night.
Frequently asked questions
Pre-booked transfers range from £50–70 (GetTransfer) to £65–90 (Welcome Pickups). Official taxis cost £80–120 (metered).
The distance is 45 km (28 mi) and the drive typically takes 60–90 min depending on traffic. Rush hour can add 30+ minutes.
North Terminal: Arrivals hall near Café Nero. South Terminal: Arrivals hall near the exits. Gatwick has two terminals connected by a shuttle train (2 min).
Taxis cost £80–120 (metered). Pre-booked transfers start from £50–70 and offer fixed prices, flight tracking, and meet-and-greet. For groups of 2+, transfers are usually better value.
LGW integrates cleanly with all four services for flight tracking. UK border control for non-UK arrivals can run 30–60 minutes at peak times. Welcome Pickups and Kiwitaxi include 60 minutes of free waiting, which usually covers it.
Need a full comparison? See our detailed comparison of all 4 transfer services for London with prices, ratings, and our verdict.
Book your transfer
Compare all four transfer services for this route:
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For the full picture of transport options in this city (trains, buses, taxis, and the best neighborhoods), see our complete London airport guide.